Comments

Pearce will be coming off the bench for a double switch later in the game… too bad… would like to see his bat in this pathetic lineup, too.

Really clutching at straws on Overbay… has the man been quoted about his putrid, $5M money stealing performance? Haven’t seen one quote from him in quite some time… nor one story focusing on his woeful performances day-in, day-out… don’t want to crush a guy when he’s down, but would like to hear his self-assessment.

They must think Chase d’Arnaud is going break out soon or something. Hitting .225 with an OPB of .250, SLG of .292, OPS .542. Not fielding well either yet they sent down Harrison who was at .263, .271, .305, and .576. Not earth shattering but still better.

I’m with you about having Pearce in the lineup, Naje. I don’t really care to hear why Overbay thinks he seems to only be capable of grounding softly to second (If he doesn’t whiff). I just want to stop watching it. I really wanted to see Pearce in the lineup tonight.

Hoping d’Arnaud slows his act down and makes the easy plays, umm, easy. He’s rushing so much in the field and he’s pressing at the plate and he’s just in a little over his head. Needs to settle down and probably drop down in the order to the 7th or 8th spot. Love his speed, can’t abide by the constant miscues, overthrows and bad at bats.

I don’t think anyone who’s been to Cards games at PNC is shocked by those Pujols stats listed in this morning’s post. I clearly remember the moment I realized I was watching absolute greatness while attending a Bucs-Cards game a few years ago. There were guys on second and third with two outs and Pujols was on his ninth or tenth pitch of the AB when he popped almost straight up and the catch was botched by the catcher/first baseman. I thought to myself, “That was it. That was our chance. You don’t get second chances with this guy” and I just KNEW, surer than anything I’ve felt in sports, that Pujols was gonna make us pay for that missed opportunity. Next pitch- lined to the wall for a 2-run double.

Wait, what am I talking about? These are the new Buccos! Pujols sucks!!!

I am a big fan of d’Arnoud but how is he a better option than Alvarez? Waiting for him to drive the ball the other way is nonsense. We need a power option. Pedro hitting .240 is in fact a lot different than d’Arnoud.

Of all the the names I’ve read to be on the Bucs radar, the top of my wishlist is Chris Davis of the Rangers. He has a solid history, and they could control him for a couple of seasons. Actually, Pence is my preference, but I don’t think that is realistic. I just don’t understand how adding a first baseman can’t be the top priority.

D’Arnaud has shown some promise for the long-term, but I can’t see why Pearce isn’t in there with the offense struggling the way it has.

That said, let’s remember that Cedeno is not good at the plate. His approach is awful and he brings almost nothing offensively. D’Arnaud’s agressiveness and speed help at the top of the lineup even if he’s had a rough couple weeks at the plate.

I think my gripe with d’Arnaud is that he’s been given a role for the team and it’s pretty simple: field your position, contribute what you can with the bat, run like hell on the bases. But he’s failing in the field. He’s not hitting at all. But he can run well.

I understand the options are limited, but he needs to be held accountable, too. You can’t play as poorly as he did at SS Wednesday and not have some repercussion…whether it’s being benched or dropped in the order, the guy has to understand that his performance is hurting the team and make sound, professional attempts to rectify the problems. He’s been given a bit of a scholarship right now.

He’s not doing that right now… he’s pressing. Got to alleviate that pressure on him, somehow, some way. But I do like his talent… and think in a year or two he’ll be a much better player than he is right now.

I wanted Steve Pearce in the lineup. Didn’t Hurdle once say he likes throwing guys in the fire, if they’re here, they’ll play?
I have had enough of Lyle Overbay. Its time for him to sit. On a side note, I’d rather have d’Arnaud in the #2 spot. Cedeno is better defensively, but he still offers little behind the plate, other than an easy out.

CHASE IS A DAMM LIABILITY AND AGAIN THIS IS PLAYOFF BIG STAKE BASEBALLL AND WE CANT AFFORD TO LET A KID WHO IS ACTING LIKE HE IS STILL GOING THRU PUBERTY TO THROW AWAY ROUTINE GROUND BALLS OR BOOT THEM , MY GOD CLINT COME ON !!!!!!!!!!

I do not understand why the pirates continue to pitch to Albert. His stats against them are out of site. First base is open. What are they thinking. Tracy, Russel and now Hurdle, you think they would make someone else beat them. Albert owns them and he makes them look like idiots when they pitch to him.

Excellent point, Ken. And not only was first base open, but it would also open up a potential doubleplay. But the reasoning not to intentionally walk Pujols is that by putting him on base with Holliday behind him, you open yourself up to a big inning (never mind that that’s exactly what the Cards got from pitching to Pujols).

EB – I’d hit him… or throw under his fists twice in a row. You can see how scared Malholm is throwing… aiming the ball… doesn’t finish his pitch… intent to throw inside is not strong enough… can’t be successful throwing away from their lineup… have to throw inside and give them something to think about.

And I said when these lineups were announced, the comparison between the heart of the Cards’ lineup with the Pirates illustrates just why it’s imperative that the Buccos add a legit MLB hitter to this lineup. I haven’t been one of those screaming for Carlos Pena, but at least he would add some power and fear to this lineup (and instantly be the 3rd highest OBP (behind Cutch and Walker) and OPS (behind Presley and Cutch) on the team).

Since I’m following on GameCast, what happened with McHenry? Cardinal rule – don’t make the first or third out at 3rd base!

@pattonbb: That’s the thing about deciding to stand pat because we have a long-term plan. So do other teams! And they already have better players and bigger payrolls! So if you don’t try to take advantage of the situation now, you may not get another chance! #HeapItOnDammit

Overbay is awful. If they want the lefties in the lineup, move Jones to 1B and Paul to RF, which also improves the D in RF.

And why the heck isn’t Cutch stealing second there to get into scoring position? I mean, he takes too short of leads off first, and what’s the good of having all that speed if he can’t get into position to score to cut it to 2?

For all the goods things this teamand coaching staff has done this year running themselves into outs isn’t one of them. In a tight game like this with what is at stake that can’t happen, margin is to small to give up outs.

Also having Case as the 3rd baseman is a joke. If that continues then you know this regime is not trying to win this year.

Jones accounted for a negative 4 run swing in this game. He should’ve caught the ball in the first, making Pujols HR a solo, Matt Holiday makes the third out; saving 3 runs. Then he gets thrown out at 2nd base when the Pirates rallied to get within one (5-4).

Literally, this game very likely would have turned out very different.Of course, it didn’t help that the Cardinals had at least two ground ball doubles (Berkman and Pujols), Molina’s half-swing single, and Berkman’s chop single that didn’t get to second base. It seemed like every ball the Pirates hit hard was right at somebody (i.e. Neil Walker’s first three AB’s).